Australia
Blackbird joins $18m round for Australia's Propeller
Blackbird Ventures has joined a A$26 million ($18.3 million) round for Propeller Aero, an Australian data analytics provider focused on drone surveying at industrial worksites.
Australia: Retail realities
Not all bankruptcies can be blamed solely on COVID-19; neither is private equity ownership necessarily bad news for retailers. As recent experiences in Australia demonstrate, evolution and execution are key
KKR backs Australia environment services player
KKR has made an investment of undisclosed size in GreenCollar, an environmental services provider that helped establish Australia’s carbon credit market.
Deal focus: Cortina goes natural for debut Australia deal
Cross-border PE investor Cortina Capital has backed Australian nutritional supplements producer ATP Science with an eye to China expansion. But establishing brand recognition at home is the first step
Deal focus: Soil Carbon’s nascent climate fix
Australian start-up Soil Carbon is developing microbial technology that can be used to limit carbon emissions from crops. Horizons Ventures has provided financial support for the project
Medical devices: Proceed with caution
Medical devices has become a difficult place to invest but potentially all the more rewarding for those willing to take the plunge. Asia is in a prime position globally
PE-owned Australian swimwear brand enters administration
Seafolly, an Australian swimwear and beachwear brand owned by L Catterton Asia, has entered administration, citing the “crippling financial impact” of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Australia cleantech start-up secures $7m
Horizons Ventures – a VC firm controlled by Hong Kong billionaire Li Ka-shing – has joined a A$10 million ($7 million) round for an Australian start-up specializing in fungi-based carbon capture technology.
Bain to buy Virgin Australia
Bain Capital has entered into an agreement to acquire and recapitalize beleaguered airline Virgin Australia Holdings (VAH).
Australia's Canva raises $60m at $6b valuation
Canva, an Australian graphic design platform, has raised $60 million in VC funding, almost doubling its valuation to $6 billion. It attributed the growth to a shift online amid COVID-19.
Mercury buys Bauer Media’s Australia, New Zealand assets
Sydney-based private equity firm Mercury Capital has agreed to acquire the Australia and New Zealand assets of Germany’s Bauer Media, including an extensive magazine portfolio.
Australia’s Square Peg raises $240m for third VC fund
Australian VC firm Square Peg Capital has received initial commitments of A$350 million ($240 million) for its third fund from investors including Hostplus and AustralianSuper.
Foreign investment restrictions: Looking inward
China is the implied threat as governments look to protect vulnerable domestic companies from foreign corporate raiders. On balance, PE investors are unlikely to benefit from moves towards de-globalization
BGH buys health centers from Australia's Healius for $341m
BGH Capital has agreed to acquire the primary care business of Australia’s Healius – comprising medical centers, GP practices, and dental clinics – for an enterprise valuation of A$500 million ($341 million).
Portfolio: Anacacia Capital and Duncan Solutions
Following its investment in Duncan Solutions in 2018, Anacacia Capital is helping the parking management systems provider tap into demand arising from Australia’s smart city movement
OPTrust joins consortium bidding for Australia's Zenith Energy
Canadian pension fund OPTrust has joined Pacific Equity Partners in the consortium looking to buy Australia-listed off-grid power provider Zenith Energy for an enterprise valuation of A$250 million ($163 million).
KKR recruits fundraiser for Australia, New Zealand
KKR has hired Nicholas Hyde from IFM Investors as a managing director in its client partner group, with responsibility for fundraising and client relationships in Australia and New Zealand.
IAG invests in Australia agtech player
Insurance Australia Group (IAG) has made an investment of undisclosed size in local start-up Digital Agriculture Services (DAS) via its VC unit Firemark Ventures.
Bain confirms pursuit of Virgin Australia
Bain Capital is in the second round of bidding for Virgin Australia Holdings (VAH) and has pledged to give the beleaguered airline “a sustainable, long-term future.”
Australia workforce training start-up Go1 gets $40m
Australian workforce training services start-up Go1 has raised a $40 million Series C round led by local strategic Seek and US-based Madrona Venture Group.
Deal focus: KKR’s Colonial First State breakthrough
Divestments of non-core assets by Australia's big four banks are keenly tracked by strategic players and financial sponsors. KKR's investment in Colonial First State represents the first PE deal of this nature
BGH submits revised offer for Australia's Village Roadshow
BGH Capital has been granted a four-week period of exclusive due diligence by Village Roadshow, having submitted a revised bid for the Australian cinema and theme park operator that is 40% lower than its original offer.
TA backs Australia's Honan Insurance
TA Associates has confirmed a growth investment of undisclosed size in Australian corporate insurance provider Honan Insurance.
QIC explores Virgin Australia bid
Queensland Investment Corporation (QIC) has been asked by the state government, its ultimate owner, to explore a bail-out for beleaguered airline Virgin Australia Holdings (VAH).